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Special  Services,   Sermons, 
Statistics,  etc., 

in  celebration  of  ten  years 

AS 

PASTOR   AND    PEOPLE. 


St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church, 


Rev.  F.  W.  E.  PESCHAU,  D  D.,  Pastor. 


February  28th,  March  2d,   1892. 


"Hitherto  the  L.ord  hath  helped  us." 


MARCH  1ST,    1882,  MARCH  1ST,  1892. 
WILMINGTON,  N.  C. 


or 

Special  Services,   Sermons, 
-  Statistics,  etc., 

in  celebration  of  ten  years 


AS 


PA5TOR   AND   PEOPLE. 


St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Charch, 

Rev.  F.  W.  E.  PESCHAU,  D  D.,  Pastor. 


February  28th,  March  2d,   1892. 

* 'Hitherto  the  Lord  h*a,ih  helped  us." 


March  1st,  1 882,  March  1st,  1892, 
wilmington,  n.  c. 


y........  .  • 


■r?  y. ■«?;:. ;■>;■♦  ■'■■■■■  :■*.:&  ■ 


ST.  PAUL'S  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH 


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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/souvenirofspeciaOOstpa 


PASTOR  AND  PEOPLE  FOR  TEN  YEARS. 


Sermon  by  Rev.  Dr.  F.  W.  E.  Peschau, 
Pastor. 


St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church  has  been  admired  by  many  who 
have  visited  it  or  worshipped  in  it,  in 
years  gone  fcy,  but  since  the  grand 
fresco  work  was  finished  about  a  year 
ago,  the  elegant  new  chandeliers  se- 
cured and  other  improvements  made, 
it  has  become,  indeed,  a  charming 
church. 

The  fine  decorations  that  were  ar- 
ranged on  Saturday  around  the  altar 
and  pulpit  and  side  walls  added  addi- 
tional beauty  and  made  it  present  an 
unusually  fine  appearance,  everything 
haying  been  done  in  such  good  taste 
and  in  a  manner  suitable  for  church 
purposes. 

Despite  the  uncomfortable  and  threat- 
ening weather  all  the  services  on  Sun- 
day were  unusually  well  attended.  The 
congregation  that  assembled  in  the 
German  services  in  the  morning  was 
an  unusually  large  German  congrega- 
tion. The  Sunday  School  quite  filled 
the  church  in  the  afternoon,  and  at 
night  the  church  was  again  filled  by  a 
large  congregation. 

The  sermons    of    Dr.    Peschau,   the 


zealous  pastor,  the  singing-,  and  the 
services  of  the  day  were  all  made  to 
conform  to  the  idea  of  gratitude  to 
God,  for  blessings  received  and  success 
achieved  in  ien  years  of  life  and  labors 
as  pastor  and  people. 

The  text  of  Dr.Peschau's  evening  dis- 
course was  Psalm  lxxviii,  4-7.  After 
an  appropriate  introduction  the  three 
principal  points  referred  to  and  dis- 
cussed were: 

I.  The  church  work  of  the  United 
States  the  last  ten  years  and  especially 
the  work  and  growth  of  the  Evangeli- 
cal Lutheran  Church  in  our  great  coun- 
try. 

II.  The  church  work  and  life  of  the 
various  churches  in  Wilmington  in  the 
past  ten  years. 

III.  The  work  of  St.  Paul's  Evangel- 
ical Lutheran  Church  in  its  material 
interests,  in  its  pastoral  and  congrega- 
tional efforts  and  its  spiritual  life  and 
growth. 

In  discussing  these  points  Dr.  Pes* 
chau  brought  out  these  thoughts: 

I.  It  is  a  grand  and  wonderful  thought 
and  fact  that  the  lite,  energy  and  inter- 
est manifested  everywhere  in  the  com-* 
mercial  and  industrial  interests  of  oar 
great  land  are  likewise  manifested  in 
the  life,  growth  and  work  of  the 
church,  and  that  the  church  in  her 
various  branches  is  trying  to  force  her 
way  to  keep  up  with  the  movements  of 


5 

the  age.  Where  towns  spring  up, 
churches  are  built,  where  colonies  are 
settled  ministers  go,  and  so  the  church 
increases  her  number  of  congregation?, 
chu-ches,  ministers  and  members,  as 
fast  as  she  can  and  as  well  as  she  can, 
to  keep  up  with  the  age  and  to  reach 
all  she  can. 

It  is  especially  gratifying  to  every 
Lutheran  to  see  how  wonderfully  rapid 
our  great  Lutheran  Church  is  growing, 
I  remember  when  a  boy  that  she  stood 
upon  the  list  of  American  Churches 
seventh  or  eighth  in  the  list,  and  now 
she  has  grown  to  be  the  third  Protes- 
tant Church  of  America  She  numbers 
in  her  four  general  bodies  and  forty- 
nine  synods  regularly  organized  5,052 
ministers,  6,559  churches,  8,427  congre- 
gations (and  some  of  the  congregations 
number  2,000  members)  and  1,199,514 
communicant  members.  Besides  this 
there  are  independent  congregations 
that  number  18,096  members.  Now  to 
this  number  we  can  justly  add  the 
large  Western  body  known  as  the 
"United  Synod, "  and  which  represents 
what  is  known  in  German  theological 
and  Church  circles  the  "Prussian 
Union  or  United  Church,"  whose 
members  are  mostly  Lutheran. 
[There  is  less  difference  of  doctrine  and 
customs  between  them  and  us,  than 
there  is  between  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterians and  the  Presbyterians, and  yet 


they  a  e  all  included  inthe  same  statis- 
tics.] This  body  numbers  1,150  min- 
isters, 1,900  coogregatioos,  250,- 
000  members,  which,  with  the 
above  would  put  und  r  the  Lutheran 
banner  of  America  the  grand  number 
of  6,202  ministers,  10,327  congregations 
and  1,477,610  communicant  members, 
and  to  tais  number  we  can  easily  add 
thousands  upon  thousands  of  Luther- 
ans who  are  living  in  country  districts 
or  towns  where  there  are  no  Lutheran 
churches,  and  can  safely  say  we  have 
one  million  and  a  half  Lutherans  in 
the  United  States.  So  we  are  the 
third  Protestant  church  in  Amer- 
ica, only  the  Baptists  and  Methodists 
being  ahead. 

T  he  property  belonging  to  our  va- 
rious churches  is  worth  $34,218,234. 

II.  Church  work  in  Wilmington 
Church  life  and  Church  work  in  this 
city  has  undergone  many  changes  in 
the  past  ten  years.  Nearly  every  one 
of  the  Churches  has  changed  pastors. 
Let  us  take  a  glance  at  these  various 
interests. 

Rev.  Dr.  Mendelsohn,  the  gifted 
and  scholarly  man  of  so  many  noble 
traits  of  character  and  an  honor- 
ed friend,  is  still  in  charge  of  a  flock  of 
that  people  to  whom  we  are  both  di- 
rectly and  indirectly,  under  God,  in- 
debted for  our  holy  religion  to  a  large 
part,  and  we  all  honor  him.     His  flock 


has  made  steady  progress  in  these 
years. 

Following  in  historical  order  we 
come  to  the  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
which  has  secured  a  pipe  organ  and 
erected  an  elegant  parsonage  for  its 
priest.  Father  Gross  was  in  charge 
ten  years  ago,  and  he  was  suceeded  by 
Rev  Father  Moore,  both  good  men 
and  doing  a  good  work  in  their  flocks. 
I  have  met  them  and  have  heard  of 
their  being  in  the  houses  of  the  poor, 
in  hospitals,  etc,  doing  the  Lord's 
work. 

Next  in  order  would  come  our 
Church,  the  mother  Church  of  Pro- 
testantism, but  it  will  be  considered 
later. 

St.  James  Episcopal  church  was 
led  by  Rev.  Dr.  Watson,  a  noble, 
consecrated  man  of  God,  who  has  since 
been  honored  with  another  position 
and  office.  His  life  and  labors  in  this 
city  for  so  many  years  have  done  all 
churches  good,  as  the  settled  ministry 
ever  mu3t  give  power  and  influence  to 
the  pulpit  and  the  church.  St.  James' 
church  has  made  some  fine  improve- 
ments and  additions,  in  its  old  historic 
building. 

St.  John's  Episcopal  church  was 
served  by  Rev.  Dr.  Patterson,  who 
left  early  in  1882  and  has  had  several 
excellent  rectors.  It  has  erected  re* 
cently  a  fine  two-story  school  house  for 
parochial  purposes. 


8 

St.  Paul's  Episcopal  church  was 
served  by  that  genial,  kind  and  pleas- 
ant rector,Rev.  Mr.  Ambler.  It  has  had 
several  changes.  It  has  been  much  im- 
proved in  appearance,  both  internally 
and  externally. 

Rev.  Dr.  Wilson  was  pastor  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  church.  Dr.  Wilton 
was  a  man.  He  was  a  man  in  every 
sense  of  the  word,  physically,  mentally 
and  in  spiritual  life.  He  was  scholarly, 
liberally-minded  and  conservative.  His 
departure  was  a  loss,  not  only  to  his 
church,  but  to  our  city. 

This  church  has  made  very  wise  and 
beautiful  improvements  in  its  interior 
and  has  started  a  fine  mission. 

The  Second  Presbyterian  bad  as  its 
pastor  that  kind-hearted,  genial  man, 
Rev.  Dr.  Payne,  whom  many  still 
honor  and  love  to  this  day.  He  was 
conservative,  careful  and  faithful  in 
every  department,  and  worthy  of  all 
honor.  This  church  has  erected  a 
handsome  house  of  worship. 

Genial,  gentle,  loving  and  lovable 
Rev.  Dr.  Taylor  was  in  charge  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church,  and  many  will 
remember  him  with  pleasure.  This 
church  has  been  much  improved,  a 
large  pipe  organ  secured,  parsonage 
purchased  and  an  elegant  addition  is 
being  built  to  the  rear  of  the  church 
for  Sunday  School  and  other  purposes, 
much  to  the  credit  of  my  kind  neigh- 
bor and  friend,   its    earnest    and    able 


9 

pastor,  Rev.  Dr.  Pritchard.  I  believe 
they  also  started  or  assisted  in  starting 
the  Brooklyn  Baptist  Church, 

Old  Front  Street  Methodist  Church, 
how  well  we  can  remember  it,  and  how 
well  the  Disastrous  fire  on  that  fatal 
February  Sunday  that  destroyed  it. 
Kev.  Mr.  Wood,  a  kind-hearted,  quiet, 
worthy  and  devoted  minister,  was  in 
charge  and  shortly  after  my  coming 
Rev.  Dr.  Yates,  the  most  scholarly, 
most  conservative  and  most  able  min- 
ister the  Methodists  have  had  here  in 
these  ten  years,  took  charge. 

Very  wisely  this  congregation 
changed  location,  and  like  the  Luth- 
erans gave  |ts  church  a  name  appro* 
priate  for  a  church,  and  so  lIGrace 
Church,"  graces  one  of  our  best  streets. 
At  the  time  of  the  fire  we  offered 
this  congregation  the  use  of  our 
church  or  Luther  Memorial  Building, 
but  our  Jewish  friends  were  one  hour 
ahead  of  us. 

The  minister  that  had  charge  of 
Fifth  Street  church,  was  that  noble, 
energetic,  popular  friend  Rev.  Mr. 
Ricaud,  whom  our  city  honors  and  loves 
to  this  day,  and  whose  son  is  our  city 
mayor.  The  old  frame  church  has 
given  way  to  a  beautiful  new  structure, 
which,  with  St.  Mark's  Lutheran 
church  of  Charlotte,  we  consider  the 
two  handsomest  churches  in  North 
Carolina. 

Well  do  I  remember  the  beginnings 


10 

of  Bladen  Street  Church,  and  how  I 
preached  for  Rev.  Mr.  Tuttle  in  a 
small  one  story  grocery  store  to  a  little 
band  of  people,  that  now  have  a  church 
of  their  own.  Thus  we  see,  dearly  be- 
loved, that  church  work  all  over  the 
city  has  gone  forward,  and  surely  this 
re-trospective  view  is  eminently  imer* 
esting. 

In  closing  this  second  view,  I  will  not 
forget  or  overlook  one,  whose  doctrines 
I  do  not  understand,  but  who  too  has 
gone  ahead  in  church  work,  and  has 
made  considerable  improvements  in 
his  neat  little  church.  I  mean  Elder 
King,  I  must  express  my  admiration 
for  him  as  a  man,  and  for  his  pure 
Christian  life. 

It  affords  me  sincere  pleasure  to 
thus  kindly  refer  to  the  various 
churches,  pastors  and  people  of  our 
city  and  the  good  they  are  doing,  for 
however,  we  may  differ  in  doctrine, 
customs  or  opinions,  we  should  ever 
recognize,  honor  and  appreciate  what 
is  good  in  the  lives  and  labors  of  others 
and  bid  them  God  speed  in  all  that  is 
good. 

And  now, 

III.  The  work  of  our  church.  What 
has  that  been  in  these  ten  years?  We 
shall  consider  material  improvements, 
then  the  church  and  its  work  as  a  con- 
gregation, and  lastly  its  spiritual  life, 
which  is  the  aim  and  the  object  of  all 
congregational  existence 


11 

We  will  see  the  marks  of  progress 
every  where,  and  we  find  that  we  are  one 
of  the  most  compact,  peaceful  and  har- 
monious, substantial  and  successful 
congregations  not  only  in  the  city,  but 
in  the  State. 

As  we  enter  the  vestibule  we  find  a 
new  matting,  new  ceiling,  etc.,  as  we 
enter  the  body  of  the  church,  we  find 
a  new  carpet,  new  cushion  coverings, 
finely  and  richly  frescoed  walls  and 
ceiling,  an  elegant  new  regulator,  thte 
gift  of  the  confirmation  class,  of  1891, 
elegant  new  chandeliers,  a  baptismal 
font,  the  gift  of  Mr,  and  Mrs.  A.  D. 
Wessell,  a  new  lecturn,  a  new 
altar  ^  the  gift  of  Mrs.  F.  W.  Heyer  and 
Mrs.  H.  Render,  an  altar  Bible,  the  gift 
of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wright,  a  pulpit  Bible, 
the  gift  of  Messrs.  C.  and  J.  Schmidt, 
hymnal  registers,  the  gift  of  Messrs. 
H.  and  L.  Vollers,  silver  set  for  pulpit 
use,  gift  of  Mrs.  Laura  Doescher,  a  new 
silk  robe  for  the  pastor,  from  the  Dor- 
cas Society,  plush  mountings,  gift  of 
Mrs.  A.  Smith,  hymnal  board,  gift  of 
Mrs.  H.  Haar,  Sr.,  an  altar  cloth,  gift 
of  Mrs.  E.  Schulken,  etc. 

Then,  too,  we  have  our  grand  new 
organ,  the  handsomest  in  the  city,  and 
as  sweet-toned  as  any  in  the  State. 
Yea,  we  find  that  everything  in  the  in- 
terior of  the  church  is  either  new  or 
has  been  made  new,  except  the  bell  in 
the  steeple.    Tne  Dorcas    Society  has 


12 

also  kindly  supplied  our  windows  with 
wire  screens. 

The  parsonage  interior  has  been 
much  improved,  rooms  papered,  gas 
jets  put  in,  heater  supplied,  etc.,  and 
the  outside  painted. 

Elegant  Luther  Memorial  Building 
has  been  erected  and  its  interior  sup- 
plied with  a  new  organ,  piano,  chairs, 
etc.,  until  it  is  ready  for  much  and 
frequent  use,  and  its  rear  rooms 
Equipped  for  school  purposes. 

Our  grand  mission  chapel  has  been 
erected  and  equipped  and  the  lot  on 
which  it  stands  purchased. 

Besides  this  all  we  have  furnished  a 
room  in  the  City  Hospital,  in  quite  an 
elegant  manner. 

Surely,  beloved,  we  have  made 
progress,  aod  much  progress  by  the 
help  of  God. 

In  our  church  work  too,  we  have 
gone  forward.  Our  congregation  num- 
bers now  about  403  members.  Our 
Sunday  School  228,  and  our  mission 
about  100.  The  societies  of  the  church 
are  each  in  good  condition  and  doing  a 
good  work,  and  our  parochial  school 
is  a  success. 

The  brethren  who  have  served  in 
the  Council  during  these  years  are  the 
following: 

Elders:  H.  B.  filers,  C.  Schulken, 
Hx  Haar,  Sr.,  A.  D,  Wessell,  H.  Cron- 
enberg,  J.  Haar,  Jr.,  L.  Hansen. 


V6 


Deacons  —  H.  A.  Glameyer,  L. 
Vollers,  M.  Rathjen,  J.  D.  H  Klan- 
der,  J.  F.  Rulfs,  Sr„  J.  D.  Doescher, 
F,  E  Hashagen,  M.  Geo  Tienken,  F. 
W.  Otmann,  J.  H.  Render. 

Trustees— H.  Vollers,  C.  F.  Von 
Kampen,  B  H.  J.  Ahrens,  J.  W.  Duls, 
A.  Smith,  W.  H  Strauss,  M.  J.  Din 
gelhoef,  E  P.  Bailey,  Dr.  S.  P. 
\Vright.  We  have  the  same  faithful 
sexton,  Bro.  J.  Boecher,  Sr. 

During  the  ten  years,  171  have  been, 
added  by  letter  and  134  by  confirma- 
tion to  the  communicant  member- 
ship of  the  church  or  a  total 
of  305.  Besides  this  there  have 
been  added  by  baptism  190  children 
and  12  adults  or  202,  making  the  total 
additions  number  507. 

I  was  surprised  to  find  that  we  have 
a  Lutheran  population  in  this  city  of 
about  800  or  about  one-twelfth  of  the 
white  population  of  Wilmington. 
Truly  these  facts  are  encouraging  and 
gratifying. 

We  have  one  young  man  studying 
for  the  ministry  who  will  complete  his 
course  next  year. 

Let  all  this  bring  us  nearer  to  God, 
arouse  us  to  holier  lives,  greater  ac- 
tivity in  the  Master's  cause,  so  that  it 
can  be  said  of  St.  Paul's,  "She  hath 
done  what  she  could." 


MONDAY'S  AND  TUESDAY'S  SERYICES. 


Dr.  Peschau's  services  on  Monday 
night  were  specially  for  the  benefit  of 
those  who  had  been  confirmed  in  this 
country,  Germany,  Scandinavia  and 
other  countries,  by  other  ministers. 
The  sermon  was  on  the  charming  text 
I  Samuel,  xii,  7.  "Now  therefore  stand 
still,  that  I  may  reason  with  you  before 
the  Lord,  of  the  righteous  acts  of  the 
Lord,  which  He  did  to  you  and  to  your 
fathers.'7 

The  sermon  Tuesday  night  was  based 
on  Galatians  IV,  18,  and  was  intended 
specially  for  those  confirmed  by  Kev. 
Dr.  Peschau  in  the  last  ten  years. 
Thhsre  are  134  of  them  and  a  good  many 
were  present. 

The  sermon  urged  fidelity  in  keeping 
the  holy  promises  made  in  confirma- 
tion's holy  hour  at  the  ahar  of  God's 
church.  Earnest,active  service  for  God, 
for  the  Church  and  for  immortal  souls 
was  emphasized.  Fidelity  not  of  a 
spasmodic  nature  but  constant  un- 
swerving self-sacrificing  and  Christ-* 
like  should  characterize  every  member 
of  Christ's  flock.  Willingness  without 
coercion  was  what  was  wanted. 
Strength  of  character  was  needed  mo^t 
when  no  pastor  or  parent  could  be  near, 
many  were  good  whilst  their  surround- 
ings were  good,  but  alas  when  father 
or  mother  or  pastor  were  not  at  hand 
they  yielded  to  temptation.  Be  strong 
amidst  and  against  temptations.  This 
is  done  by  firm  adherence  to  principles 


15 

and  active  zeal  for  God  and  the  Church,. 
In  conclusion  he  related  some  touching 
incidents  from  his  pastoral  labors  in  the 
South  and  West. 

The  anthems    by    the    choir    were 
unusually  fine. 

Messrs.  Unas.  Biomme  and  Wm. 
Render,  Misses  E.  Bissinger,  Mamie 
Schulken  and  Mamie  Stelljes  sang  with 
special  earnestness  and  skill,  "Come 
Holy  Spirit."  The  Misses  Stolter  sang 
touchingly  and  superbly,  uMy  Ran- 
somed Soul." 

At  4  o'clock  this  afternoon  the  previ- 
ously announced  memorial  services 
will  be  held  in  the  Lutheran  church. 
The  services  will  be  in  English.  The 
bright  decorations  have  given  way  to 
the  emblems  of  mourning,  and  as  this 
is  Ash  Wednesday  it  is  a  doubly  ap- 
propriate and  significant  service.  An 
appropriate  sermon  will  be  preached, 
appropriate  anthems  sung  and  other 
interesting  exercises  held  during  the 
services. 


THE  MEMORIAL  SERVICES. 


Last   of  the   Special   Services   by   Br. 
Pesctiau. 


As  was  announced  in  Wednesday 
morning's  Messenger  the  decorations 
around  the  altar  of  St.  Pauls  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  church  had  been 
changed  from  the  bright  cheerful 
colors  of  flowers,  bouquets,  etc.,  into 
the  sombre  shades  that  are  expressive 
of  mourning, 

The  plan  carried  out  was,  per- 
haps, something  new  in  the  history  of 
our  city  in  this  line.  The  pulpit  was 
surmounted  by  a  handsome  and  richly 
painted  placard  bearing  the  words 
"In  Memorian,"  and  from  either  end 
of  this  there  was  suspended  a  wreath 
of  matchless  beauty  in  memory  of  the 
dead  members  of  the  Church  Council 
who  died  in  active  service,  namely 
Mr.  John  Wm.  Strauss  and  Mr.  H.  A. 
Glameyer.  These  elegant  and  rich 
looking  gifts  were  presented  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Council  and  congregation 
and  will  this  morning  together  with 
other  wreaths  be  laid  on  the  respec- 
tive graves  of  the  dead. 

Underneath  and  to  either  side  of  this 
superb  arrangement,  other  wreaths  of 
pure  white  flowers  with  dark  green 
mountings  were  placed  or  suspended  so 
as  to  make  the  most  systematic,  strik- 
ing and  suitable  appearance.  Pour  of 
these  were  presented  by  the  Sunday 


17 

School,  in  honor  a^d  memory  of  the 
scholars  who  had  died,  Leonora  Wes- 
sell,  Josephine  Hohn,  August  Mohr 
and  J.  Louis  Adrian.  One  was  also 
presented  in  memorvof  Mr.  Matthews, 
a  worker  in  the  Mi;  sion  Sunday  School, 
and  still  another  in  memory  of  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Rusco,  (nee  Schaefer),  ooce  a 
faithful  teacher  in  St.  Paul's  Sunday 
School.  Besides  these  superb  floral 
tributes,  from  members  of  the  council, 
congregation,  Sunday  School  and  mis- 
sion, others  had  been  sent  in  by  friends, 
as  a  beautiful  bouquet  in  memorv  ofMr. 
P.  W.  Heyer,  a  star  of  violets  in  mem- 
ory of  Mr.  H.  C.  Prempt  rt,  a  hand- 
some bouquet  of  mixed  flowers,  with 
tasty  celluloid  clasp  and  pendants, 
bearing  emblems  of  immortality,  in 
memory  of  Mr.  E.  Schulken,  Sr  ,  and 
a  charming-  pillow  of  violets  in  memory 
of  the  late  beloved  chief  of  the  Mes- 
senger, Julius  A.  Bonitz,  Across  the 
altar  front,  as  finishing  piece,  the 
finely  pointed  words  uOur  Dead," 
completed  this  charming  picture  of 
eight  wreaths,  with  appropriate  sur- 
roundings. It  was  one  of  the  very 
finest  arrangements  of  the  kind  we  have 
ever  seen,  and  reflects  much  credit  on 
Mr.  Jno.  Haar,  Jr.,  and  Mr.  Wm.  Ren- 
der, whose  work  it  was. 

The  services  were  opened  by  an  an- 
them, after  which  "I  would  not  live 
alway,"  a  hymn  composed  by  Muhlen- 
berg, son  of  a  once  famous  Lutheran 
minister,  was  sung. 

Rev.  Dr.  Peschau  preached  on 
Genesis,  xxiii.  J  9,  giving  an  out- 
line   of    the   history    of     the     burial 


18 

and  burial  places  of  the  dead,  from  the 
time  of  this  remarkable  and  touching 
episode  of  the  buying  of  the  first  burial 
place  recorded  in  the  world's  history 
by  Abraham  for  his  wife  Sarah. 

He  preached  of  the  sacredness  of  car- 
ing properly  for  the  dead,  who  are  out 
of  our  hands  and  beyond  our  control 
when  God  has  called  or  taken  the  soul 
from    the  body. 

He  spoke  of  the  history  and  cus- 
tom of  having  places  of  burial, 
which  become  sacred  because  of 
their  use,  and  by  some  churches  are 
eyen  consecrated,  that  their  dead  on 
whom  they  look  with  reverence  may 
rest  in  holy  ground,  as  for  instance, 
the  Roman  Catholic,  Lutheran,  Mora- 
vian, etc.  The  Germans  beautifully 
called  a  grave  yard  "Gottes  Acker, " 
i.  e.,  God's  Acre,  and  their  idea  is 
that  the  land  thus  set  aside  is  for  holy 
purposes  only. 

The  sacred  regard,  in  cherishing  the 
memory  of  the  dead,  was  also  referred 
to,  as  an  old  time  and  beautiful  custom, 
and  as  one  likely  to  follow  the  history 
of  the  world  to  the  end  of  time. 

But  all  these  views  emphasize  and 
give  expression  to  the  heart  and  souPs 
longings  and  desires,  to  see  again 
these  sainted  ones,  inherit  the  glory 
that  charms  them,  and  to  look  from 
the  helplessness  of  the  living  who,  too, 
shall  rest  in  the  grave,  to  the  triumphs 
of  the  resurrection,  and  life  immortal, 
in  the  world  where  there  is  no  death 
and  where  there  are  no  graves. 

The  history  of  the  graves  in  Mach- 
pelah  are  most  eminently  full  of  inter- 


19 

est,  for  it  is  claimed  they  are  kept  up  to 
this  day.  Toe  Prince  of  Wales  once 
vieited  them,  but  it  is  to  us  more  pre- 
cious to  know  that  the  Prince  of  Peace, 
Prince  of  Life,  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
is  interested  in  all  the  dear  dead  for 
whom  he  died  oo  the  cross. 

This  memorial  service  is  a  fitting 
close  of  our  various  gatherings.  It  is 
a  picture  of  the  closing  of  all  the 
church's  services  on  earth,  as  one  by 
ooe  we  fall  from  out  the  membership 
into  the  grave  to  leave  only  our  rame 
on  the  church  records  and  friends  to 
think  and  speak  of  us,  and  oh!  how 
well  when  they  can  justly  say  'Blessed 
are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord.' 

Then,  after  referring  to  the  dead  of 
the  past  ten  years,  and  how  the  graves 
of  these  dear  ooes  would  ever  bind  *.he 
bereaved  families  to  our  city,  where 
their  dead  are  buried,  the  sermon  was 
closed  with  the  following  lines: 

WHERE  THERE  ARE  NO  GRAVES. 
[By  Roaa  Evangeline  Angel,] 

RECITATION. 

No  death,  no  deatn,   no  graves  to  kneel  and 

kiss, 
O  heart,  be  still,  and  think  awhil°  on  this; 
If  thou  stnlt  gain  that  country ;  thou  shirt  find 
No  tears  to  dry,  no  broken  hearts  to  bind. 

Thine  ears  shall  never  hear  a  sob  nor  sigh, 
Thy  ]ip«  shall  soon  forget  the  word  "good-bv;" 
Thy  h?tnd8  shall  never  feel  the  hand  grow  cold, 
Which,   ah  how  vainly,  thou  didst  strive  to 
hold ! 

Thy  feet  which  here  have  weary  grown  and 

slow, 
Shall  gladly  walk  as  ne'er  they  walked  below; 
Thine  eye*  that  here  have  grown   so  used  to 

tears, 
Shall  shine  u^dimmed  through  all  the  long 

bright  years. 


20 


Thy  troubled  heart  that  bore  thy  whole  world's 

woe, 
And  its  own  weakness  mourned,   i-hall  never 

know 
One  pang  of  sorrow;  not  one  breath  of  care 
Shall  scorch  thy  brow,  nor  sin  oppress  thee 

there. 

For  hear,  my  heart,  'tis  written— Oh,  be  glad, 
Ye  sin*sick  souls,  ye  sore-distreesed  and  sad — 
'Tis  written,  thirst  nor  hunger  shall  they  feel 
No  pain  nor  sickness  e'er  again  shall  steal. 

Their  perfect   strength;  the  sun  may  never 

smite 
With  deadly  stroke,  nor  the  black  frost  of  night 
Fall  on  them,  sleeping;  they  shall  saMy  dwell, 
And  fear  no  evil;  and  oh,  strange  to  tell, 

Oh,  strange,  sweet  wonder,    "God  shall  wipe 

away 
All  tears,  all  tears."    Oh  heart,  attend  and  say 
If  ever  in  thy  searching  thou  ha^t  found 
Aught  like  to  this,  in  all  life's  dreary  round? 

No  death,  no  death,  no  graves  to  kneel  and 

kiss, — 
And  what  is  heaven  if  it  be  not  this? 


Notes  About  the  Services,  Etc. 

The  services  throughout  the  four 
days  have  been  well  attended. 

The  choir  has  aided  materially  with 
its  fine  church  music   In  the  services. 

Miss  Maggie  W.  Peschau,  organist  of 
the  church,  was  kindly  assisted  in 
several  instances  by  Miss  Eliza  Adrian, 

Letters  of  congratulation,  compli- 
menting and  congratulating  both  the 
pastor  and  the  congregation  on  the 
event  have  come  from  various  sources, 
among  others  from  Rev.  Dr.  Horn  of 
Charleston,  President  of  the  General 
Lutheran  body  of  the  South,  who 
wrote  that  it  was  "honorable  to  both 
pastor  and  congregation." 


21 

Many  of  oar  citizens,  ministers  and 
professional  and  business  men,  etc., 
have  also  offered  kind  congratulations. 

The  Young  People's  Association  of 
St.  Pauls  church  not  only  presented  its 
compliments  but  also  gave  its  pastor  a 
purse,  a  complete  surprise. 

Members  of    the    council    also  very 

much  surprised  Dr.  Peschau,  on  Wed- 
nesday night,  by  presenting  him  a 
handsome  ebony  s:old  headed  cane.  It 
was  one  of  the  most  complete  and  un- 
expected surprises  of  his  life. 

The  officers  of  the  church  now  are: 

Vice  President- John  Haar,  Jr. 
.    Secretary — H.  Vollers. 

Treasurer — E,  P.  Bailey, 

The  Council,  as  now  composed,  con- 
sists as  follows: 

Elders— J.  Haar,  Jr  ,  L.  Hansen. 

Deacons— Jno.  H.  Render,  P.  W. 
Ortmann,  F    E.  Hashagen,  L.  Vollers. 

Trustees— H.  Vollers,  A.  Smith, J.  D, 
H.  Klander,  E.  P.  Bailey,  Dr.  S.  P. 
Wright,  W.  H.  Strauss. 

Sunday  School  Superintendent— W. 
H.  Strauss. 

The  superintendent  of  St.  Matthews 
Mission  is  Mr.  C.  W.  Polvogt. 

With  ,  next  Sunday's  services  the 
eleventh  year  begins, 

A  beautiful  episode  in  the  memorial 
services,  was  the  bringing  of  a  small 
bouquet  of  flowers  by  an  orphan  child, 
with  the  request  that  it  be  laid  on  the 


22 

grave  of  one  of  the  dead  Sunday  School 
scholars  together  with  the  wreath 
given  by  the  Sunday  SchooL  It  was 
t?ie  child's  own  idea  and  work  and 
tribute. 

Mrs.  J.  G.  Voss,  who  died  re- 
cently and  whose  funeral  Rev.  Dr, 
Peschau  could  not  attend  on  account 
of  sickness,  was  kindly  referred  to  and 
spoken  of  in  the  course  of  the  services, 
as  having:  been  a  quiet,  humble  and 
good  Christian  woman— a  just  tribute 
to  a  just  person. 

Last  night's  services  coaclude  the 
special  services  as  announced  and  Dr. 
Peschau  enters  upon  his  eleventh  year 
with  the  best  wiso  of  not  only  his  con- 
gregation but  of  hosts  of  friends  out* 
side,  and  particularly  the  Messenger. 


:<///;." 


^Ifiilllfe, 


23 

ADDITIONAL  STATEMENTS. 


We  are  certainly  in  a  prosperous 
condition,  for  which  let  us  ever  thank 
God  All.  the  Societies,  Associations, 
etc.,  connected  with  the  church  are  in 
go  d  condition,  are  doing  good  work 
and  have  funds  on  hand  Only  the 
*  hurch  itself  and  St  Matthew's  Mission 
have  debts  The  Church  has  only  about 
$1,000.00  debt,  which  it  can  pay  any  day 
that  one  proper,  generate  ffort  be  made 
to  pay  it,  if  all  will  give  as  they  could. 

The  Mission  has  a  debt  of  about 
$1400  but  the  property  it  has,  is  worth 
about  $3,500  or  $4,000  ,  including  fur- 
niture, etc. 

Our  dear  young  Bro.  J.  H.  "W.  Runge, 
whom  the  Church  is  so  kindly  and  lib- 
erally educating,  by  giving  him  about 
(275.00  a  year,  will  complete  his  course 
in  about  a  year. 

As  the  names  of  the  Church  Officers 

» 

Choir,  etc.  appear  elsewhere,  we  deem 
it  eminently  proper  that  the  names, 
etc.,  of  the  officers  of  various  Church  in- 
terests be  also  submitted  herewith.  We 
go  according  to  age. 


24 

I. 
ST.  PAUL'S  SUNDAY  SCHOOL. 


W  H.  STRAUSS,  Sup't 

J.  D.  H.  KLANDER,  Ass't  Sup't. 

H.  F  OTTEN,  Sec. 

C.  J.  BLOMME,  Ass't  Sec. 

H.  L.  VOLLERS,  Treas. 

MISS  ELIZA  C  ADRIAN, Organist. 
"      KATE  STOLTEK,  Ass't  " 
"      MINNIE  SCHWARZ,  Musical 
Directress. 

G.  F.  SEITTER,  Librarian. 

JOHN  BLOMME,  Ass't  " 

Sunday  School  Members  228;  Funds 
on  hand.,  $12. 


II. 
DORCAS   SOCIETY, 


MRS.  A.  D.  WESSELL,  Pres. 

"      W.  H.  STRAUSS,  Vice-Pres. 

u       Dr.  F.  C.  MILLER,  Rec.  See 

41       L.  VOLLERS,  Cor.  Sec. 

"       H.  VOLLERS,  Treas. 
Members,  55;  Funds  on  hand,  $150. 


III. 
YOUNG   PEOPLE'S    ASSOCIATION. 


H.  F.  OTTEN,  Pres. 
WM.  HEINS,  Vice-Pres. 


25 

MISS  ELIZA  ADRIAN,  Rec.  Sec. 
"      MARGARET   W.    PESCHAU, 
Cor.  Sec. 
MISS  ELISE  BISS1NGER,  Treas. 
G.  F   SEITTER,  Librarian 
J.  F.  RULFS,  Jr.,  Property  Holder. 
Members,  50;  Funds  on  hand,  $25. 


IV. 
CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION. 


J.  D.  H.  KLANDER,  Pres. 

F.  E.  HASHAGEN,  Vice-Pres. 
GEORGE  ZIEGLER,  Rec.  Sec. 
H.  L.  VOLLERS,  (or.  Sec. 

G.  W.  BORNEMA^NN,  Treas. 
G.  F.  SEITTER,  Librarian 
CHAS.  J.  BLOMME,  Ass't  Librarian. 
Members,  63 ;  Funds  on  hand,  $273. 


V. 
MENGERT  MISSION   CIRCLE. 


MRS.  H.  A  GLAMEYER,  Pres 
MISS  MINNIE  SCHWARZ, Vice-Pres 

"      LIZZIE  OTTEN,  Rec.  Sec. 

"      KATE  STOLTER,  Cor.  Sec. 

11  EMMA  HUTAFF,  Treas. 
Members,  75 ;  Funds  on  hand,  $120. 


26 

VI. 
ST.  MATTHEW'S  MISSION  S.  S. 


C.  W.  POLVOGT,   Supt 

W.  H.  STRAUSS,  Ass't  Supt. 

J.  F.  RULFS,  Jr.,  Rec.  Sec. 

WM.  HEINS,  Asst.  Sec. 

Dr.  S.  P   WRIGHT,  Treas. 

MISS  MAGGIE  STRAUSS,  Organist. 

"      ANNIE  DOESCHER,  Asst." 
THOS.  J.  PEA,  Librarian. 
Members,  about  100. 


VII 
DER  JUGEND  VEREIN. 


Organized  just  one  month. 
J,  H.  KUECK,  Pres. 
FERDINAND  RIOHTER,  Vice-Pres. 
J.  C.  SCHWARZ,  Rec.  Sec. 
F.  H.  KRAHNKE,  Treas. 
BERNHARD  KULKEN,  Librarian 
Members,  22;  Funds  on  hand,  $6. 


VIII. 
THE   PAROCHIAL  SCHOOL. 


Board  of  Education. 

J.  H.  REHDER,  Bres. 

L    HANSEN,  See.  and  Treas. 


,27  ] 

Committee -Men. 

HANS.  A.  KURE.         H   GERDES. 
LUEHR  VOLLERS.     C.  SCHULKEN.       \\ 
ALBERT  C.  WESSELL. 

The  Two  Teachers. 

MISS  FLORENCE  BONITZ,  Principal. 
"     FRED'RICKA  WESSELL,  Asst.      |! 

Scholars  enrolled,  53;  Funds  on  hand, 

$100.  I I 


Total  Funds  on  hand,  as  above,  $686 
Besides  this  we  should  remember  that 
$75.  in  gold  have  been  left  us  by  the 
following  beloved  members,  who  are 
dead  and  gone :  E.  Schulken,  Sr.,  Mrs. 
K.  Karrer,  Mrs  A.  Lessmann. 

God  be  praised  for  all  the  above ! 


OUR  NEEDS. 


I. — A  SUITABLE,  COMMODIOUS  SCHOOL 
HOUSE.  1 1 

II. — A  NEW  OR  IMPROVED  FENCE. 

III. — The  Luthkr  Memorial  Build-      j 

ING  PAINTED.  !] 

IV. — A  Lutheran  Cemetery. 

• 

A  KIND  AND  SUGGESTIYE  QUESTION. 


Would  it  not  be  best  and  wisest  to 
borrow,  say  $2,000.  or  $3,000.,  and  make 


28 

all  the  improvements  we  need?  That 
is,  put  up  a  new  fence,  build  a  new  school 
house,  paint  our  buildings,  etc? 

The  Church  could  easily  carry  a  debt 
of  $3,000,  or  $4,000  Then  we  would  have 
all  we  need,  and  co  -hi  work  to  reduce 
the  debt  some  every  year.  Why  could 
we  not  do  i  his  ?  This  amount  would 
fix  everything  and  besides  would  put 
money  enough  in  the  Treasury  to  enable 
us  at  all  times  to  meet  our  obligations, 
and  would  give  us  something  to  work 
for.    Let  us  agree  on  some  plan  like  this. 

One  Brother,  a  member  of  the  Council, 
called  on  the  Pastor  of  his  own  accord 
and  proposed  this,  and  said  he  would 
lend  the  Church,  if  they  did  this,  $100. 
free  of  interest,  for  years.  If  others  did 
this,  how  easily  it  could  be  done.  How 
beautiful  and  grand  our  fine  property 
would  be  if  it  were  once  put  in  perfect 
condition. 

Brethren,  we  can  do  it  L*  t  us,  in 
peace  and  harmony,  take  hold  of  this 
idea  of  this  good  Brother,  and  carry  it 
out,  and  surely  God  will  help  us. 

"  WORK,  WHILE  IT  IS  CALLED  TO-DAY  " 

"  Our  fears,  our  hopes,  our  aims  are  one, 
Our  comforts  and  our  cares." 


EXPLANATION,  EXTRACTS,  ETC. 


In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  which 
is  a  reprint  of  what  appeared  in  ''The 


89 

Morning  Messenger"  from  day  to  day, 
during  the  celebration,  "The  Star" 
our  other  city  daily  morning  paper, 
always  a  friend  of  our  Church  and 
people,  contained  extensile  reports, etc. 
of  the  special  services,  etc. 

The  ''Daily  Review"  also  was  pleased 
I-      to  say  : 

On  Sunday  last  Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Pes- 
chau,  D.  D„  concluded  ten  years  of 
faithful  service  as  pastor  of  St.  Paul's 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Ohurch,  in  this 
city.  Special  services  were  held  for  the 
occasion,  and  were  continued  until  last 
night,  during  which  time  matters  con- 
nected with  his  pastorate  have  formed 
themes  of  importance  and  instruction 
to  his  large  congregation  The  church 
was  tastefully  decorated  for  the  occa- 
sion, special  and  carefully  selected 
music  was  prepared  and  given  with 
musicianly  skill,  and  all  the  services 
were  deeply  interesting.  During  his 
ten  years'  pastorate,  Dr.  Peschau  has 
missed  but  six  services,  on  account  of 
sickness,  which  is  a  record  of  which  he, 
as  well  as  his  congregation,  have  just 
reason  to  be  proud.  He  is  much  be- 
loved by  his  congregation,  both  as  a 
pastor  and  as  a  sincere  Christian  friend 
and  kind  neighbor,  and  by  our  citizens 
as  a  polished  gentleman,  profound 
scholar,  eloquent  speaker  and  worthy 
citizen.  At  the  services  last  night  the 
Young  People's  Association,  connected 


3D 

with  the  church,  surprised  their  pastor 
by  the  gift  of  a  liberal  purse  with  their 
comp  iments. 

Members  of  the  Council,  not  to  be  out- 
done by  their  younger  friends,  present- 
ed Dr.  Peschau  with  an  elegant  ebony 
gold  headed  cane,  which  he  will  use  for 
walking  purposes,  but  not  as  a  cudgel 
of  pastoral  reproof.  1 1 

We  extend  our  congratulations  to  both 
church  and  pastor  for  the  harmonious 
relations  existing  between  them,  and 
trust  they  may  continue  many  years 
longer  and  be  as  warm  and'  fraternal 
as  those  which  now  exist." 

A  correspo  ident  of  "Die  Deutsche 
Zeitung,"  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  in  notic- 
ing the  event,  was  kind  enough  to  say: 
"Pastor  Peschau  hat  sich  dieallgemeine 
Liebe  und  Verehrung  seiner  Gemeinde 
im  Laufe  seiner  treuen  und  segensreieh- 
en  Amts-thaetigkeit  erworben." 

Kind  letters  have  also  been  sent  from 
Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  by  Messrs.  Alb  L. 
Meyer,  Wm.  Huggins  and  others;  Rev. 
G.  H.  Cox,  Pres,  N.  C.  Synod,  Rev.  C. 
B.  King  Sec,  N.  C.  Synod,  and  others. 
Space  and  expense  forbids  our  printing 
them. 

The  idea  of  printing  this  "Souvenir" 
met  with  favor  by  all  who  were  spoken 
to  about  it,  and  we  trust  it  will  find  a 
ready  sale. 

Prominent  members  requested,  and 
insisted  on  it,  that  the  Pastor's  picture 


31 

should  be  incorporated  with  it,  and  it 
therefore  appears.  The  cut  of  our 
church  is  a  floe  piece  oi  work.  We 
hope  some  day  to  have  a  fine  cut  of  the 
Parsonage,  Luther  Memorial  Building 
and  the  Mission  Chapel. 

With  thanks  to  God  and  to  the  dear 
people  of  St.  Paul's  Church  for  all  past 
encouragement,  and  with  the  prayer  to 
God  for  future  blessings,  and  with  the 
call  to  the  people,  in  the  name  of  God*> 
"Come  to  the  help  of  the  Lord,  against 
the  mighty,"  we  enter  joyfully,  hope- 
fully and  prayerfully  upon  the  duties  of 
the  promising  future,  with  a  kind  heart 
and  love  for  all. 


"  Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds 
Our  hearts  in  Christian  love." 


